Rita Notes: American garden furniture

Cozy cottage living rooms

Is there anything cosier than settling into a plump sofa in a charming country cottage? Being enthusiastic cottage devotees, we think not. Warm colours, plush furniture, and a generous scattering of art and antiques make these country interiors perfect settings for curling up with a cup of tea. The style isn't restricted to cottages themselves though - anyone can bring a touch of this traditional design into their home, whether you're nestled deep in the English countryside or not. Scroll down for our favourite examples of ultra-cosy cottage-style living rooms, and prepare to get comfortable.

The living room of Ptolemy Dean's home in Sussex, is painted in Farrow & Ball's 'Light Blue.' This tone clashes wonderfully with the rust red ottoman from Teasal England (used here as a coffee table). In true country style, this room is meant to be comfortable rather than grand. The large mirror above the fireplace was a lucky find from Long Street Antiques in Tetbury and the kilim-covered sofa is from Settle.

At the back of interior designer Louise Jones' Victorian cottage there is a second, more informal sitting room with views to the garden. Here Jones has played with colour and print, creating symbiosis between house and garden.

Antiques dealer and decorator Max Rollitt has a living filled with antiques in his eclectic Hampshire farmhouse. The traditional room is painted with Edward Bulmer's 'Lilac Pink.' This is a warm-toned shade, perfect for country houses.

In their Twickenham home, Lady Wakefield and her late husband Peter decided to move the drawing room to the first floor. Here, they created a comfortable space with panelled walls and purposely unmatched furnishings that mix well with paintings and objects acquired over the past three decades. The sofa is strewn with a cosy collection of needlepoint cushions. Lady Wakefield proves that you needn't be in the country to achieve the country look.

A large painting by Irish artist Martin Finnin hangs in the living room of a tiny barn on the edge of a Gloucestershire meadow, decorated by antiques dealer and designer Christopher Howe. The space is filled with varied treasures collected by the designer, providing its owners with an idyllic and rustic country bolt-hole.